President’s Message:
I am extremely honored to be the President of the Trial Attorneys of New Jersey. TANJ is a great organization that has a wonderful history. When you look at the past presidents and past trial bar award recipients honored by this organization, it is hard not to be humbled. At the same time, I am proud to be included in that company and will do everything I can during my presidency to make this organization and the trial bar proud. Our civil and criminal justice system (particularly jury trials) remains under attack. This is nothing new. The pundits have been attacking our justice system since shortly after the enactment of the United States Constitution. Back then, the likes of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had to stand up and defend the right to trial by jury and its importance in our nation’s survival. Today, that right cannot be taken for granted and we must continue to defend it at every opportunity. The Trial Attorneys of New Jersey has and always will remain steadfast in its mission to preserve the right to trial by jury and to make every effort to better the civil and criminal justice system. This is the principal upon which this organization was formed more than 30 years ago. Our organization has grown to over 700 members. This year, we have an incredibly talented group of officers and trustees including the recent addition of 5 retired state and appellate division judges. In the coming year, TANJ will continue to: Advocate on matters that affect the trial
bar, in the courts and legislature; I welcome your participation, comments and suggestions throughout the year on all matters affecting the trial bar. I invite you to join us at our winter seminar retreat in the Bahamas on February 21, 2008 and our annual meeting in Belmar, New Jersey in May 2008. I am looking forward to a great year and thank you for the privilege. Lou DeVoto |
Presidents Message